Team
Tanya Jacobs, Founder
Tanya Jacobs is the visionary founder of Community Villages, a Northern California-based organization dedicated to uplifting underserved communities. Through targeted initiatives addressing food insecurity, mental health advocacy, and support for unhoused individuals, Tanya has built a grassroots model rooted in dignity, access, and care.
With over two decades of experience in behavioral health and community development, Tanya has worked across socio-economic boundaries, both domestically and internationally, as an educator, facilitator, mentor, and consultant. Her trauma-informed approach shapes every aspect of her service, ensuring culturally responsive and healing-centered engagement. Tanya continues her contributions to the field of behavioral health by supporting initiatives like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Communities Talk to Prevent Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse.
Tanya was honored as one of California's 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT'S WOMEN OF THE YEAR by HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of CALIFORNIA in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, for her tireless work that has brought healing, justice, and hope to countless individuals in Northern California. Her leadership has been defined by compassion, strategic vision, and an unshakeable commitment to equity.
Joyce Bluefer, Interim Director
Richard Robinson, ACSW-A
Registered Clinical Social Worker with the focus on working with youth and foster youth with more than 30 years of experience. Richard has served within the residential and psychiatric facilities to empower youth and their families involved in behavioral health systems.
Tonya Miller
Tanya is Community Villages' Interim Secretary and has worked for 16 years in community mental health programs.
Christopher Smith
Christopher is a 21 year veteran in the United States Navy and serves as a member of the social media team. He is passionate about addiction, poverty, and rehabilitation issues in rural areas and veterans' mental health issues.
Michelle McLeod, Administrative Assistant
Michelle brings more than two decades of experience in customer service and administrative experience within a global infrastructure in countries such as Jamaica. Michelle brings invaluable experience to the organization and is dedicated to serving the community.
Family Support Specialist (Facilitator)
To provide coaching and resources that bridge the gap between what a family wants for their child/children's educational and behavioral needs and how to achieve them from a strength-based approach.
Our Team
Our History
Our History
Our amazing team of regulars and part-time volunteers are committed to helping others. We don't just talk about change; we take our convictions and turn them into action.
Think you would be a good fit?We’d love to hear from you
Our History
Our History
Our History
"Seeing a clear need for energetic, dedicated community work in the East Bay, we formed Community Villages to provide sensible, dignity-first solutions to human suffering. We have consistently grown since our founding in 2019, expanding from critical mental health and housing support to comprehensive food security and re-entry systems.
None of this would be possible without the incredible, collective power of our neighbors. Every milestone we reach—from our student-run pantry to our hands-on street outreach—is fueled entirely by the helping hands of this amazing community!"
— Tanya Jacobs, Founder
Our Mission
Our History
Our Mission
To build an equitable, compassionate community where marginalized individuals are seamlessly connected to essential daily resources, empowering them to heal, thrive, and break cycles of systemic neglect.
COMMUNITY VILLAGES INc Donate Today
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
